José Ramírez's all-around performance helps the Guardians avoid elimination in ALDS Game 3

CHICAGO (AP) — Pretty typical game for José Ramírez, and that was a big deal for the Cleveland Guardians.

Ramírez broke out of his batting slump Wednesday, helping Cleveland avoid a sweep in its AL Division Series against the Chicago White Sox. The seven-time All-Star had two hits, drove in two runs and scored twice during the Guardians' 9-3 victory in Game 3.

“Josy, that’s why he’s one of the best players in the league,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “He can hurt you with the bat, the legs and the glove. He showed all that today.”

The 34-year-old Ramírez also made a diving stop at third on Miguel Vargas’ bases-loaded smash in the sixth inning, preserving Cleveland’s 5-3 advantage.

“After that play, it was, OK, this is our game to win, and that’s what we were able to do,” Ramírez said through a translator.

Ramírez was sidelined for five weeks after he broke a bone in his left hand on a swing against Detroit on June 13. The switch-hitter had surgery before returning on July 22 against Minnesota.

But he hit just .229 with two homers and 20 RBIs in 53 games after the operation. Then he went 0 for 6 with two walks in the first two games of the ALDS against the White Sox.

With the Guardians facing elimination, Ramírez delivered — just as he had so many times before.

“It feels special,” Ramírez said. “You know the type of season I had, but it’s important for us to win any game going forward because for us it’s do or die. So it feels really good. ... But for us, it’s the same mindset going forward.”

The first sign Ramírez was headed for a big night occurred in the first inning, when he hit a 107.9 mph liner that was caught by a diving Randal Grichuk in left field.

“We always know he’s one swing away,” Vogt said. “When he hit that first ball in the first inning ... great play by Grichuk. You knew he was here.”

Ramírez walked and scored on Jo Adell's three-run triple in the third, helping Cleveland take a 4-1 lead.

Playing in his 48th postseason game — all with Cleveland — Ramírez manufactured an insurance run for the Guardians in the fifth. He doubled, stole third and scored on Chase DeLauter’s grounder to second, beating Kyle Teel’s tag with a headfirst slide.

Ramírez’s savvy baserunning gave the Guardians a 5-2 advantage.

“When he got that stolen base at third, that kind of made it a José Ramírez game,” Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan said.

Ramírez popped up leading off the seventh, but he helped Cleveland put it away with a two-run triple with two outs in the eighth. Ramírez clapped his hands in excitement and threw an upper cut with his right arm as he stood on third after the important swing.

“Great game by Ramírez,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Obviously, we know how special a player he is.”

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Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez, second from right, celebrates with teammates after the Guardians won Game 3 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez hits a two-run triple against Chicago White Sox pitcher David Sandlin during the eighth inning in Game 3 of baseball's American League Division Series Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan, left, and José Ramírez celebrate after winning Game 3 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez reacts after hitting a two-run triple against Chicago White Sox pitcher David Sandlin during the eighth inning in Game 3 of baseball's American League Division Series Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez reacts after hitting a two-run triple against Chicago White Sox pitcher David Sandlin during the eighth inning in Game 3 of baseball's American League Division Series Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Veronica Burton hit a deep 3-pointer that put Golden State ahead with 41 seconds left and converted two free throws in the closing seconds, Tiffany Hayes had 21 points, and the Valkyries held off the Las Vegas Aces 83-81 on Wednesday night for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five WNBA semifinal series.

“I think I held my breath the whole time the ball was in the air,” Hayes said about watching Burton’s clutch shot.

In a wild finish, Jackie Young missed the second of two free throws with six seconds left to give Las Vegas one last chance, then Chelsea Gray grabbed the rebound and drove under the basket for a layup attempt. Kiah Stokes blocked the shot and Burton corralled the ball.

Gabby Williams had 20 points and five rebounds and Kayla Thornton scored 16 points as the Valkyries moved one win away from reaching the WNBA Finals in just their second season. Golden State became the first expansion team in league history to make the playoffs in its inaugural season last year.

Hayes missed that postseason run because of a left knee injury, and now she's shining against her former team.

“It felt amazing to be able to go out there and get a win with the team that I’m with now,” she said.

A shot-clock violation gave Golden State the ball back with 1:01 to play and Burton delivered with her lone basket of the night.

“That Burton 3 was massive,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “We battled back and gave ourselves a shot after a really abysmal first half.”

The series now shifts to Las Vegas for Game 3 on Friday with the defending champions trying to stave off elimination. Hammon said before Wednesday's game how important it would be to go home with a split — but the Valkyries have been too good in front of their rocking home crowd and now Hammon's team is on the brink of the season ending without a repeat title.

“I can't convince them that this is not a must-win, because if we lose we go home, and we stay home,” she said. “The goal is to get one quarter at a time and we've got to string it together. We know we're capable of stringing three in a row.”

A’ja Wilson had 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting and seven rebounds for Las Vegas, which trailed 66-55 going into the final 10 minutes and made it interesting down the stretch.

Gray’s jumper with 4:46 to go pulled the Aces to 73-68 then Dana Evans’ 3-pointer made it 74-71 before Gray hit a tying 3 with 2:10 left.

Burton, who sat down with 7:29 left in the third quarter of a 71-60 Game 1 win Sunday and didn’t return, was thrilled to have the ball in her hands this time.

“I was just saying I had to do something out there,” she said. “I appreciated Gabby trusting me in that moment, obviously a big moment. We trust her with the ball in her hands as well and so for her to pass it up to me not just once in that possession but twice ... the second one I knew that had to go up.”

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Las Vegas Aces center Kalani Brown (20) tries to shoot between Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (41) and guard Veronica Burton (22) during the second half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball semifinals, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) celebrates after scoring a three-pointer against Las Vegas Aces during Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

The Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (41) and guard Kaila Charles (6) block Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) during Game 2 of the WNBA Semifinals in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (5) reacts as the Valkyries recover the Las Vegas Aces' free throw to seal the victory in the fourth quarte during Game 2 of the WNBA Semifinals in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen (2) and Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) celebrate their win against the Las Vegas Aces during Game 2 of the WNBA Semifinals in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (Yalonda M. James/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)